US20090017236A1 - Two-sided thermal media - Google Patents
Two-sided thermal media Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090017236A1 US20090017236A1 US11/834,411 US83441107A US2009017236A1 US 20090017236 A1 US20090017236 A1 US 20090017236A1 US 83441107 A US83441107 A US 83441107A US 2009017236 A1 US2009017236 A1 US 2009017236A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- thermal
- sided
- media
- thermal transfer
- direct
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Links
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Images
Classifications
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- B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
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- B41M5/40—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used characterised by the base backcoat, intermediate, or covering layers, e.g. for thermal transfer dye-donor or dye-receiver sheets; Heat, radiation filtering or absorbing means or layers; combined with other image registration layers or compositions; Special originals for reproduction by thermography
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- B41M5/382—Contact thermal transfer or sublimation processes
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
- B41M2205/00—Printing methods or features related to printing methods; Location or type of the layers
- B41M2205/02—Dye diffusion thermal transfer printing (D2T2)
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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- B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
- B41M2205/00—Printing methods or features related to printing methods; Location or type of the layers
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- B41M2205/00—Printing methods or features related to printing methods; Location or type of the layers
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- B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
- B41M2205/00—Printing methods or features related to printing methods; Location or type of the layers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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- B41M5/40—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used characterised by the base backcoat, intermediate, or covering layers, e.g. for thermal transfer dye-donor or dye-receiver sheets; Heat, radiation filtering or absorbing means or layers; combined with other image registration layers or compositions; Special originals for reproduction by thermography
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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- B41M5/26—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used
- B41M5/40—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used characterised by the base backcoat, intermediate, or covering layers, e.g. for thermal transfer dye-donor or dye-receiver sheets; Heat, radiation filtering or absorbing means or layers; combined with other image registration layers or compositions; Special originals for reproduction by thermography
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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- B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
- B41M5/26—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used
- B41M5/40—Thermography ; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used characterised by the base backcoat, intermediate, or covering layers, e.g. for thermal transfer dye-donor or dye-receiver sheets; Heat, radiation filtering or absorbing means or layers; combined with other image registration layers or compositions; Special originals for reproduction by thermography
- B41M5/42—Intermediate, backcoat, or covering layers
- B41M5/44—Intermediate, backcoat, or covering layers characterised by the macromolecular compounds
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/949,378 entitled “Two-Sided Thermal Printing” and filed on Jul. 12, 2007, and is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/779,732 entitled “Two-Sided Thermal Printer” and filed on Jul. 18, 2007 and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/780,959 entitled “Two-Sided Thermal Transfer Ribbon” and filed on Jul. 20, 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
- Dual, or two-sided printing comprises the simultaneous or near simultaneous printing or imaging of a first side and a second side of print media, opposite the first side. Two-sided direct thermal printing of media comprising a document such as a transaction receipt is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,784,906 and 6,759,366 the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. In two-sided direct thermal printing, a two-sided direct thermal printer is configured to allow concurrent printing on both sides of two-sided thermal media moving along a media feed path through the printer. In such printers a thermal print head is disposed on each of two sides of the media for selectively applying heat to one or more thermally sensitive coatings thereon. The coatings change color when heat is applied, by which printing is provided on the respective sides.
- Two-sided thermal media comprising thermal transfer receptive and/or direct thermal thermally sensitive coatings on one or both of a first and a second side thereof are provided. In one embodiment, two-sided thermal media comprising a substrate having a first side and a second side, opposite the first side, and a first and a second thermal transfer receptive coating supported on the respective first and second substrate sides is provided. In another embodiment, two-sided thermal media comprising a substrate having a thermal transfer receptive coating on a first side thereof, and a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating on a second side thereof, is provided. In some embodiments, a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating provided on one or both sides of two-sided thermal media is adapted to image at a temperature different than a temperature at which thermal transfer printing has or can occur. Additional variations are also provided.
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FIG. 1 provides a cross-sectional view of one-sided thermal transfer ribbon for, inter alia, thermal transfer printing of media such as transaction receipts, tickets, labels, and other documents. -
FIG. 2 provides a cross-sectional view of one-sided thermal transfer media for use as, inter alia, a transaction receipt, ticket, label, or other document. -
FIG. 3 provides a cross-sectional view of two-sided thermal transfer media for use as, inter alia, a transaction receipt, ticket, label, or other document. -
FIG. 4 provides a cross-sectional view of one-sided direct thermal media for use as, inter alia, a transaction receipt, ticket, label, or other document. -
FIG. 5 provides a cross-sectional view of two-sided direct thermal media for use as, inter alia, a transaction receipt, ticket, label, or other document. -
FIG. 6A illustrates a first side of a two-sided thermal document in the form of a transaction receipt. -
FIG. 6B illustrates a second side of a two-sided thermal document in the form of a transaction receipt. -
FIG. 7 provides a schematic of a two-sided direct thermal printer. -
FIG. 8 provides a schematic of a two-sided thermal transfer printer. -
FIG. 9 provides a schematic of a combined two-sided direct thermal and thermal transfer printer. -
FIG. 10 provides a cross-sectional view of combined two-sided direct thermal and thermal transfer media for use as, inter alia, a transaction receipt, ticket, label, or other document. -
FIG. 11 provides a second schematic of a two-sided thermal transfer printer. -
FIG. 12 provides a plan view of a thermal transfer coated side of a thermal transfer ribbon. -
FIG. 13 provides a third schematic of a two-sided thermal transfer printer. -
FIG. 14 provides a fourth schematic of a two-sided thermal transfer printer. -
FIG. 15 provides a cross-sectional view of two-sided thermal transfer ribbon for, inter alia, thermal transfer printing of media such as transaction receipts, tickets, labels, and other documents. -
FIG. 16 provides a cross-sectional view of two-sided thermal media comprising a label and liner combination for, inter alia, two-sided direct thermal and/or thermal transfer printing thereof. -
FIG. 17 provides a fifth schematic of a two-sided thermal transfer printer. -
FIG. 18 provides a sixth schematic of a two-sided thermal transfer printer. - By way of example, various embodiments of the invention are described in the material to follow with reference to the included drawings. Variations may be adopted.
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FIG. 1 illustrates a one-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 100 for thermal transfer printing of media such as transaction receipts, tickets, labels, and other documents. As shown inFIG. 1 , a one-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 100 may comprise asubstrate 110 with afunctional coat 120 on afirst side 112 thereof and aback coat 114 on a second side thereof. Thesubstrate 110 may comprise a fibrous or film type sheet for supporting thefunctional coating 120. Additionally, thesubstrate 110 may be natural (e.g., cellulose, cotton, starch, and the like) or synthetic (e.g., polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, and the like). In one embodiment, thesubstrate 110 is provided in the form of an 18 gauge polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. - A
functional coating 120 of a one-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 100 may comprise a dye and/or pigment bearing substance which is transferred to receptive media (e.g., cardboard, paper, film, and the like) upon application of heat, by which printing is provided. Afunctional coating 120 may comprise a wax (e.g., carnauba, paraffin, and the like), resin (e.g., urethane, acrylic, polyester, and the like), or a combination of the two, having one or more dyes (e.g., a leuco dye, methyl violet, and the like) and/or pigments (e.g., carbon black, iron oxide, inorganic color pigments, and the like) incorporated therein. In one embodiment, afunctional coating 120 comprising 65-85% carnauba and/or paraffin wax, 5-20% carbon black pigment, and 5-15% ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin is provided. In a further embodiment, afunctional coating 120 comprising 40% carnauba, 40% paraffin wax, 15% carbon black pigment, and 5% ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin is provided - Where applied, a
back coat 140 of a one-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 100 may protect thesubstrate 110 from damage due to application of heat for printing (e.g., warping, curling, melting, burn-thru, and the like), mitigate against bonding of a functional coatedside 102 of a one-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 100 to aback side 104 thereof whensuch ribbon 100 is provided in, for example, roll form, and/or provide a low friction (re. slippery) surface to ease travel over and mitigate damage to an associated print head. - A
typical back coat 140 is silicone and/or silane based (either mobile or cured), which provides desired thermal stability under print (re. hot) conditions, and a low coefficient of friction (re. slippery). In one embodiment, aback coat 140 comprises a water based or ultra-violet (UV) light cured silicone. - As further shown in
FIG. 1 , a one-sided thermal transfer ribbon may further comprise asub coat 130 between thesubstrate 110 and thefunctional coating 120. Where provided, thesub coat 130 may aid in adhering and/or releasing thefunctional coating 120 to and/or from thesubstrate 110. Asub coat 130 may comprise a wax (e.g., carnauba, paraffin, and the like), resin (e.g., urethane, acrylic, polyester, and the like), or a combination of the two, and may include one or more release and/or slip agents (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), silicone, and the like). In one embodiment, asub coat 130 comprises 60% carnauba wax, 30% paraffin wax, and 10% PTFE. -
FIG. 2 illustrates one-sidedthermal transfer media 200 for use as a transaction receipt, ticket, label, or other document. As shown inFIG. 2 , one-sidedthermal transfer media 200 may comprise asubstrate 210 supporting a thermal transferreceptive coating 220 on afirst side 214 thereof. Thesubstrate 210 may comprise a fibrous or film type sheet either or both of which may comprise one or more natural (e.g., cellulose, cotton, starch, and the like) and/or synthetic (e.g., polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, and the like) materials. In one embodiment, thesubstrate 210 is provided in the form of a non-woven cellulosic (e.g., paper) sheet. - The thermal transfer
receptive coating 220 of one-sidedthermal transfer media 200 may comprise one or more materials for preparing arespective printing surface 204 of themedia 200 to accept transfer of afunctional coating 120 from athermal transfer ribbon 100. Such thermal transferreceptive coating 220 may comprise a clay (e.g., kaolinite, montmorillonite, illite, and chlorite), resin (e.g., urethane, acrylic, polyester, and the like), or a combination thereof, with or without a binder (e.g., polyvinyl acetate (PVA)), whichcoating 220 may further be prepared to a desired or required surface finish and/or smoothness post-application. In one embodiment, a thermal transferreceptive coating 220 comprising 90% clay and 10% PVA (as-dried) calendared to a smoothness of greater than approximately 300 Bekk seconds is provided on afirst side 214 of a non-wovencellulosic substrate 210 comprising one-sidedthermal transfer media 200. -
FIG. 3 illustrates two-sidedthermal transfer media 300 for use as, for example, a one- or two-sided transaction receipt, ticket, label, or other document. As shown inFIG. 3 , two-sidedthermal transfer media 300 may comprise asubstrate 310 supporting a thermal transferreceptive coating 320 on afirst side 314 thereof. Thesubstrate 310 may comprise a fibrous or film type sheet either or both of which may comprise one or more natural (e.g., cellulose, cotton, starch, and the like) and/or synthetic (e.g., polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, and the like) materials. In one embodiment, thesubstrate 310 is provided in the form of a biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) sheet. - The thermal transfer
receptive coatings thermal transfer media 300 may comprise one or more materials for preparing arespective printing surface media 300 to accept transfer of afunctional coating 120 from athermal transfer ribbon 100.Such coatings coatings receptive coatings respective sides BOPP substrate 310 comprising the two-sidedthermal transfer media 300. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one-sided directthermal media 400 for use as a transaction receipt, ticket, label, or other document. As shown inFIG. 4 , one-sided directthermal media 400 may comprise asubstrate 410 having a thermallysensitive coating 420 on afirst side 412 thereof. As for the one-sidedthermal transfer media 200 illustrated inFIG. 2 , thesubstrate 410 of one-sided direct thermal media may comprise a fibrous or film type sheet either or both of which may comprise one or more natural (e.g., cellulose, cotton, starch, and the like) and/or synthetic (e.g., polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, and the like) materials. In one embodiment, thesubstrate 410 is provided in the form of a non-woven cellulosic (e.g., paper) sheet. - A thermally
sensitive coating 420 may comprise at least one dye and/or pigment, and optionally, may include one or more activating agents which undergo a color change upon the application of heat by which printing is provided. In one embodiment, a dye-developing type thermally sensitive coating comprising a leuco-dye (e.g., 3,3-bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl)-phthalide, 3,3-bis(p-dimethylaminophenyl)-6-dimethylaminophthalide, 3-cyclohexylamino-6chlorofluoran, 3-(N—N-diethylamino)-5-methyl-7-(N,N-Dibenzylamino)flouran, and the like), a developer (e.g., 4,4′-isopropylene-diphenol, p-tert-butylphenol, 2-4-dinitrophenol, 3,4-dichiorophenol, p-phenylphenol, 4,4-cyclohexylidenediphenol, and the like), and an optional sensitizer (e.g., acetamide, stearic acid amide, linolenic acid amide, lauric acid amide, and the like) as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,043 to Halbrook, Jr., et al. the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, is provided. - As further illustrated in
FIG. 4 , one-sided directthermal media 400 may further comprise a sub coat 430, atop coat 440 and aback coat 450. Where provided, a sub coat 430 may be included as a buffer region between afirst surface 412 of asubstrate 410 and a thermallysensitive coating 420 to avoid adverse interaction of chemicals and/or impurities from thesubstrate 410 with the thermallysensitive coating 420, and thereby avoid undesired and/or premature imaging. Further, a sub coat 430 may be provided to prepare an associatedsurface 412 of asubstrate 410 for reception of a thermallysensitive coating 420, such as by providing for a desired or required surface finish or smoothness. Suitable sub coats 430 include clay and/or calcium carbonate based coatings. In one embodiment, a clay based sub coat 430 is applied to a first surface of acellulosic substrate 410 and calendared to a smoothness of greater than approximately 300 Bekk seconds prior to application of an associated thermallysensitive coating 420 comprising one or more leuco dyes, developers and sensitizers. - A
top coat 440 may be provided over a thermallysensitive coating 420 to protect the thermally sensitive coating and/or any resultant image from mechanical (e.g., scratch, smudge, smear, and the like) and/or environmental (chemical, UV, and the like) degradation. Likewise, atop coat 440 may be provided to enhance slip between the thermally sensitivecoated side 102 of one-sidedthermal media 400 and various components of a thermal printer such as, but not limited to a thermal print head. Atop coat 440 may include any suitable components that serve to protect or enhance the performance and/or properties of a thermallysensitive layer 420 such as one or more polymers, monomers, UV absorbers, scratch inhibitors, smear inhibitors, slip agents, and the like. In one embodiment, atop coat 440 comprising a zinc stearate is provided over a thermallysensitive coating 420 in the form of a leuco dye/developer system. - One-sided direct
thermal media 400 may further comprise aback coat 450 on asecond side 414 of asubstrate 410 to, inter alia, mitigate against mechanical and/or environmental damage to thesubstrate 410 and/or thermallysensitive coating 420, as well as provide for desirable mechanical and/or physical properties (e.g., slip, release, tear, adhesive, permeability, water resistance, UV absorbing, smoothness, and the like). In one embodiment, a calcium carbonate based backcoat 450 is provided for acceptance of ink jet printing thereon. -
FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of two-sided directthermal media 500 for use as a transaction receipt, ticket, label, or other document. As shown inFIG. 5 , two-sided directthermal media 500 may comprise asubstrate 510 having a first and a second thermallysensitive coating second side thermal media 400, thesubstrate 510 of two-sided directthermal media 500 may comprise a fibrous or film type sheet either or both of which may comprise one or more natural (e.g., cellulose, cotton, starch, and the like) and/or synthetic (e.g., polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, and the like) materials. In one embodiment, thesubstrate 510 is provided in the form of a spunbonded high density polyethylene sheet. - The thermally
sensitive coating sensitive coatings - As further illustrated in
FIG. 5 , two-sided directthermal media 500 may further comprise asub coat second surface substrate 510 and a respective first and second thermallysensitive coating substrate 510 with the thermallysensitive coatings more sub coats surface substrate 510 for reception of a respective thermallysensitive coating Suitable sub coats sub coats second surfaces density polyethylene substrate 510, and calendared to a smoothness of greater than approximately 300 Bekk seconds prior to application of associated thermallysensitive coatings - Finally, as additionally shown in
FIG. 5 , two-sided directthermal media 500 may comprise one or moretop coats sensitive coatings top coats respective side thermal media 500 and various components of a thermal printer such as, but not limited to respective thermal print heads. Atop coat sensitive layer top coats sensitive coatings thermal media 500. - Depending on the application, a first thermally
sensitive coating 520 may have a dye and/or co-reactant chemical which activates at a different temperature than the dye and/or co-reactant chemical present in thesecond coating 550. Alternatively or additionally, asubstrate 510 of two-sided directthermal media 500 may have sufficient thermal resistance to prevent heat applied to onecoating other coating -
FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate respective first andsecond sides transaction receipt 600. As shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B , a two-sided receipt 600 may comprise aheader 610 printed on one or bothsides receipt 600, along with respective first and second portions oftransaction information 620 comprising thereceipt 600. - Additionally, one or both
sides sided receipt 600 may comprise additional text and/or graphic information desired or required to be printed such as, but not limited to, one or more of a logo, a serialized cartoon, a condition of sale, an advertisement, a security feature, rebate or contest information, ticket information, legal information such as a disclaimer or a warranty, and the like. As shown inFIG. 6B , such additional information may comprise adiscount offer 650 and abar code 660. - As further shown in
FIGS. 6A and 6B , afirst side 602 of a two-sided receipt 600 may further comprise atop margin 630, abottom margin 632, aleft margin 634, and aright margin 636. Likewise, asecond side 604 of a two-sided receipt 600 may further comprise atop margin 640, abottom margin 642, aleft margin 644, and aright margin 646, some or all of which may also be the same size as, or independently sized in regard to therespective margins first side 602 of the two-sided receipt 600. -
FIG. 7 illustrates a two-sided directthermal printer 700 for direct thermal printing of direct thermal media such as the one- or two-sided directthermal media FIGS. 4 and 5 . As shown inFIG. 7 , a two-sided directthermal printer 700 may comprise first and second thermal print heads 710, 720 for printing onrespective sides sided media media feed path 750. Additionally, first andsecond platens media feed path 750 thereof proximate to the first and second print heads 710, 720 in order to, for example, maintain contact between the first and second print heads 710, 720 and a respective first andsecond side media - Depending on the printer design and/or application, the
media thermal printer 700 comprises first and second thermal print heads 710, 720, and first and secondrotating platens thermal media - As shown in
FIG. 7 , a two-sided directthermal printer 700 may further include acontroller 760 for controlling operation of theprinter 700. Thecontroller 760 may comprise acommunication controller 762, one or more buffers ormemory elements 764, aprocessor 766, and/or aprinting function switch 768. Thecommunication controller 762 may provide for receiving and/or sending print commands and/or data to and from a host computer or terminal such as a point-of-sale (POS) terminal (not shown), an automated teller machine (ATM) (not shown), a self-checkout system (not shown), a personal computer (not shown), and the like, associated with theprinter 700. Thecommunications controller 762 may provide for input of data to, or output of data from, theprinter 700 pursuant to one or more wired (e.g., parallel, serial/USB, Ethernet, etc) and/or wireless (e.g., 802.11, 802.15, IR, etc) communication protocols, among others. - Where provided, the one or more buffers or
memory elements 764 may provide for short or long term storage of received print commands and/or data. As such, the one or more buffer ormemory elements 764 may comprise one or more volatile (e.g., dynamic or static RAM) and/or non-volatile (e.g., EEPROM, flash memory, etc) memory elements. In one embodiment, a two-sided directthermal printer 700 includes a first and a second memory element orstorage area 764 wherein the first memory element orstorage area 764 is adapted to store data identified for printing by one of the first and the second thermal print heads 710, 720, while the second memory element orstorage area 764 is adapted to store data identified for printing by the other of the first and the second thermal print heads 710, 720. - In a further embodiment, a two-sided direct
thermal printer 700 may additionally include a third memory element orstorage area 764 in the form of a received print data storage buffer adapted to store data received by theprinter 700 for printing by a first and/or a secondthermal print head communication controller 762. Data from the received printdata storage buffer 764 may, then, be retrieved and processed by aprocessor 766 associated with theprinter 700 in order to, for example, split the received print data into a first data portion for printing on a first side of two-sided directthermal print media 500 by a firstthermal print head 710, and a second data portion for printing on a second side of the two-sided directthermal print media 500 by a secondthermal print head 720. Once a split determination has been made, such first and second data portions may, in turn, be stored in respective first and second memory elements orstorage areas 764 in preparation for printing by the respective first and second print heads 710, 720. - In still another embodiment, a two-sided direct
thermal printer 700 may include one or more predefined memory elements orstorage areas 764 for storage of predefined print data comprising, for example, one or more of a coupon orother discount 650, a logo orheader 610, a serialized cartoon, a condition of sale, a graphic or other image such as abar code 660, an advertisement, a security feature, rebate or contest information, ticket information, legal information such as a disclaimer or a warranty, shipping—including origin and destination—information, and the like. Such stored, predefined print data may then be selected for printing on one or both sides of one- or two-sided directthermal media thermal printer 700. - Selection of predefined print data for printing may be provided for though use of, for example, a
printing function switch 768 associated with a two-sided directthermal printer 700. In addition to selecting predefined and/or other received print data for printing on a first and/or asecond side thermal media switch 768 may enable activation and/or deactivation of one or more printing modes or functions provided for by theprinter 700 such as one or more of a single-sided print mode, a double-sided with single-side command mode, a double-sided with double-side command mode, and a double-sided print mode with predefined data, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/675,649 entitled “Two-Sided Thermal Print Switch” and filed on Feb. 16, 2007 the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. - A two-sided
printing function switch 768 may be a mechanically operated switch in or on a two-sided directthermal printer 700, or an electronic or software switch operated by a printer driver executed on an associated host computer, or by firmware or software resident on theprinter 700, and the like. Theswitch 768 may, for example, be electronically operated in response to a command message or escape sequence transmitted to theprinter 700. Printer control language or printer job language (“PCL/PJL”), or escape commands, and the like, may be used. A printer setup configuration program setting, e.g., a setting made through a software controlled utility page implemented on an associated host computer, could also electronically operate aswitch 768 of a two-sided printer 700. - A two-sided
printing function switch 768 of a two-sided printer 700 may be configured, programmed or otherwise setup to select or otherwise identify (1) data for printing (e.g., internally stored predefined data, externally received transaction data, and the like), (2) which of a first and asecond print head media media side media second print head - For example, in one embodiment, a setting of a two-sided
printing function switch 768 may marshal a first data portion comprising approximately one half of selected print data for printing on a first (e.g., front)side 502 of two-sided directthermal media 500, and a second data portion comprising approximately the remaining half of the selected print data for printing on a second (e.g., reverse)side 504 of themedia 500. As previously described, such selected print data may comprise data received by theprinter 700 from a host computer such as a POS terminal (not shown), an ATM (not shown), a self-checkout system (not shown), a personal computer (not shown) and the like, and/or predefined data stored in one or more memory orbuffer locations 764 of theprinter 700. In this manner a document such as atransaction receipt 600 may be generated in which a first portion of the selected data is printed on afirst side 602 of the receipt and a second portion comprising the remaining selected data is printed on asecond side 604 of the receipt, conserving upon the amount ofmedia 500 required for printing the selected data. - In further reference to
FIG. 7 , a two-sided directthermal printer 700 may also include first andsecond support arms first support arm 714 may further be journaled on anarm shaft 718 to permit it to pivot or rotate in relation to thesecond support arm 716 in order to, for example, facilitate access to, and servicing of, the two-sided directthermal printer 700, including loading of one- or two-sided directthermal media second support arms - As further illustrated in
FIG. 7 , a firstthermal print head 710 and asecond platen 740 may be coupled to or formed integrally with afirst support arm 714, while a secondthermal print head 720 and afirst platen 730 may be coupled to or formed integrally with asecond support arm 716. In alternate embodiments (not shown), a firstthermal print head 710 and afirst platen 730 may be coupled to or formed integrally with afirst support arm 714 while a secondthermal print head 740 and asecond platen 720 may be coupled to or formed integrally with asecond support arm 716. Additional variations in component design and/or configuration, including a two-sided directthermal printer 700 designs wherein a first and a secondthermal print head first platen 730 are coupled to or formed integrally with asecond arm 716 while asecond platen 740 is coupled to or formed integrally with afirst support arm 714, or a first and a secondthermal print head second platen second arm - A two-sided direct
thermal printer 700 may further include adrive system 712 for transporting media, such as one- or two-sidedthermal media printer 700 during a print process. Adrive system 712 may comprise one or more motors (e.g. stepper, servo, and the like) (not shown) for powering a system of gears, links, cams, belts, wheels, pulleys, rollers, combinations thereof, and the like. In one embodiment, adrive system 712 comprising a stepper motor and one or more gears adapted to rotate one or both of a first and asecond platen media thermal printer 700. In alternate embodiments, adrive system 712 comprising a stepper motor operatively connected to one or more dedicated drive (e.g., non-platen) rollers (not shown) may be provided. -
FIG. 8 illustrates a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 800 for thermal transfer printing of one or both sides of media such as the one- or two-sidedthermal transfer media FIGS. 2 and 3 . As shown inFIG. 8 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 800 may comprise first and second thermal print heads 810, 815 for printing on respective first and/orsecond sides sided media media feed path 805. Additionally, first andsecond platens media feed path 805 thereof proximate to the first and second print heads 810, 815 in order to, for example, maintain contact between the first and second print heads 810, 815 and a respective first andsecond side media - Depending on the printer design and/or application, print media such as the one- or two-sided
thermal transfer media FIGS. 2 and 3 may be supplied in the form of a roll, fan-fold stock, individual (cut) sheets, and the like, upon which information in text and/or graphic form may be printed on one or bothsides side 202 ofmedia 200 absent inclusion of any specific thermal transferreceptive coating thermal transfer printer 800, however print quality and/or longevity, and the like, may be affected. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 800 may additionally comprise first and secondthermal transfer ribbons thermal transfer coatings 120 for thermal transfer printing on respective first andsecond sides thermal transfer media second ribbons second supply printer 800, which reels or supports may additionally maintain a desired or required tension on therespective ribbons - In further reference to
FIG. 8 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 800 may also include first andsecond support arms first support arm 880 may further be journaled on anarm shaft 886 to permit it to pivot or rotate in relation to thesecond support arm 885 in order to, for example, facilitate access to, and servicing of, the two-sidedthermal transfer printer 800, including loading of one- or two-sidedthermal transfer media thermal transfer ribbons 100 therein. In alternate embodiments, the first andsecond support arms - As further illustrated in
FIG. 8 , a firstthermal print head 810, asecond platen 855, and a first supply and take-up reel orsupport first support arm 880, while a secondthermal print head 815, afirst platen 850, and a second supply and take-up reel orsupport second support arm 885. Variations are also possible. - A two-sided
thermal transfer printer 800 may further include adrive system 890 for transporting media, such as one- or two-sidedthermal transfer media thermal transfer ribbons printer 800 and/or across one or both of the thermal print heads 810, 815 during a print process. Depending on the design and/or application, adrive system 890 may comprise one or more motors (e.g. stepper, servo, and the like) (not shown) for powering a system of gears, links, cams, belts, wheels, pulleys, rollers, combinations thereof, and the like. In one embodiment, adrive system 890 comprising a stepper motor and one or more gears adapted to rotate one or both of a first and asecond platen media thermal transfer printer 800. In alternate embodiments, adrive system 890 comprising a stepper motor operatively connected to one or more dedicated drive (e.g., non-platen) rollers (not shown), and/or one or both of theribbon supply up - As shown in
FIG. 8 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 800 may further include acontroller 860 for controlling operation of theprinter 800. Like thecontroller 760 of the two-sided directthermal printer 700 ofFIG. 7 , thecontroller 860 of a two-sided thermal transfer printer such as the two-sidedthermal transfer printer 800 ofFIG. 8 may comprise acommunication controller 862, one or more buffers ormemory elements 864, aprocessor 866, and/or aprinting function switch 868, each of which may perform one or more functions and/or operations consistent with thecounterpart components thermal printer 700 ofFIG. 7 described hereinabove. -
FIG. 9 illustrates a combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer printer 900 for combined direct thermal and thermal transfer printing of, inter alia, combined direct thermal andthermal transfer media 1000 as illustrated inFIG. 10 . As shown inFIG. 9 , a combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer printer 900 may comprise first and second thermal print heads 910, 915 for printing on respective first and/orsecond sides thermal transfer media 1000 moving along amedia feed path 905. Additionally, first andsecond platens media 1000 and feedpath 905 thereof proximate to the first and second print heads 910, 915 in order to, for example, maintain contact between the first and second print heads 910, 915 and a respective first andsecond side media 1000. - As shown in
FIG. 10 , combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer media 1000 may comprise asubstrate 1010 having a direct thermally sensitive coating 1020 on afirst side 1012 thereof, and a thermal transferreceptive coating 1050 on asecond side 1014 thereof. As for the one- or two-sided thermal transfer and/or directthermal media FIGS. 2 , 3, 4, and 5, thesubstrate 1010 of combined two-sided direct thermal and thermal transfer media may comprise a fibrous or film type sheet either or both of which may comprise one or more natural (e.g., cellulose, cotton, starch, and the like) and/or synthetic (e.g., polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, and the like) materials. In one embodiment, asubstrate 1010 is provided in the form of a starch based paper. - Likewise, a direct thermally sensitive coating 1020 and a thermal transfer
receptive coating 1050 of a combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer media 1000 may comprise any of therespective coatings thermal media FIGS. 2 , 3, 4, and 5 such as a direct thermally sensitive coating 1020 comprising a leuco-dye, developer and sensitizer, and a thermal transferreceptive coating 1050 comprising 90% clay and 10% PVA (as-dried). - As further illustrated in
FIG. 10 , combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer media 1000 may further comprise asub coat 1030, and atop coat 1040. Where provided, asub coat 1030 may be included as a buffer region between afirst surface 1012 of asubstrate 1010 and a direct thermally sensitive coating 1020 to avoid adverse interaction of chemicals and/or impurities in thesubstrate 1010 with the direct thermally sensitive coating 1020, and thereby avoid undesired and/or premature imaging. Further, asub coat 1030 may be provided to prepare an associatedsurface 1012 of asubstrate 1010 for reception of a thermally sensitive coating 1020, such as by providing for a desired or required surface finish or smoothness.Suitable sub coats 1030 include clay and/or calcium carbonate based coatings as described with regard toFIGS. 4 and 5 . - A
top coat 1040 may be provided over a direct thermally sensitive coating 1020 to protect the thermally sensitive coating and/or any resultant image from mechanical (e.g., scratch, smudge, smear, and the like) and/or environmental (chemical, UV, and the like) degradation. Likewise, atop coat 1040 may be provided to enhance slip between the thermally sensitivecoated side 1002 of the combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer media 1000 and various components of a thermal printer such as, but not limited to a thermal print head. Atop coat 1040 may include any suitable components that serve to protect or enhance the performance and/or properties of a thermally sensitive layer 1020 such as one or more polymers, monomers, UV absorbers, scratch inhibitors, smear inhibitors, slip agents, and the like, as also described with regard toFIGS. 4 and 5 . - Depending on the printer design and/or application, print media such as the combined two-sided direct thermal and
thermal transfer media 1000 ofFIG. 10 may be supplied in the form of aroll 1060, fan-fold stock, individual (cut) sheets, and the like, upon which information in text and/or graphic form may be printed on one or bothsides coated side un-coated side thermal media sides thermal transfer media 1000, however thermal transfer print quality and/or longevity, and the like, may be affected. - As shown in
FIG. 9 , a combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer printer 900 may additionally comprise athermal transfer ribbon 920 for providing a functional,thermal transfer coating 120 for thermal transfer printing on a thermal transferreceptive side 1004 or a direct thermalcoated side 1002 of combined, two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer media 1000, or aside thermal transfer media Such ribbon 920 may be supported onsupply 930 and take-up/rewind 940 reels or supports within theprinter 900, which reels or supports may additionally maintain a desired or required tension of theribbon 920 during a printer operation. - In further reference to
FIG. 9 , a combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer printer 900 may also include first andsecond support arms first support arm 980 may further be journaled on anarm shaft 986 to permit it to pivot or rotate in relation to thesecond support arm 985 in order to, for example, facilitate access to, and servicing of, the two-sidedthermal transfer printer 900, including loading ofmedia 1000, including aroll 1060 thereof, and/or atransfer ribbon 920 therein. In alternate embodiments, the first andsecond support arms - As further illustrated in
FIG. 9 , a firstthermal print head 910, asecond platen 955, and first supply and take-up reels or supports 930, 940 may be coupled to or formed integrally with afirst support arm 980, while a secondthermal print head 915, afirst platen 950, and a recess and/orsupport 995 formedia 1000 or aroll 1060 thereof, may be coupled to or formed integrally with asecond support arm 985. Variations are possible. - A combined two-sided direct thermal and
thermal transfer printer 900 may further include adrive system 990 for transporting media, such as combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer media 1000, and/or athermal transfer ribbon 920 through theprinter 900 during a print process. Depending on the design and/or application, adrive system 990 may comprise one or more motors (e.g. stepper, servo, and the like) (not shown) for powering a system of gears, links, cams, belts, wheels, pulleys, rollers, combinations thereof, and the like. In one embodiment, adrive system 990 comprising a series of individual stepper motors coupled to each of the respective first andsecond platens rewind reels media 1000 and/orthermal transfer ribbon 920 through the combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer printer 900. Use of individual stepper motors provides for independent control over rotation of a givenplaten reel media 1000 and/orthermal transfer ribbon 920. Such adrive system 990 would also allow for forward (e.g., pursuant to the arrow representing the media feed path 905) and/or backward (e.g., counter to the arrow representing the media feed path 905) feed ofmedia 1000 and/orthermal transfer ribbon 920, thereby allowing for dual-direction and/or repetitive printing, and allowing for rewind and/or re-use of thethermal transfer ribbon 920. In alternate embodiments, adrive system 990 comprising a single stepper motor operatively connected the first and/orsecond platens reels - As shown in
FIG. 9 , a combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer printer 900 may further include acontroller 960 for controlling operation of theprinter 900. Like thecontroller 760 of the two-sided directthermal printer 700 ofFIG. 7 , and thecontroller 860 of the two-sidedthermal transfer printer 800 ofFIG. 8 , thecontroller 960 of a combined two-sided direct thermal and thermal transfer printer such as the combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer printer 900 ofFIG. 9 may comprise acommunication controller 962, one or more buffers ormemory elements 964, aprocessor 966, and/or aprinting function switch 968, each of which may perform one or more functions and/or operations consistent with thecounterpart components thermal printer 700 ofFIG. 7 described hereinabove. -
FIG. 11 illustrates a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1100 for thermal transfer printing of one- or two-sides of media such as any of themedia FIGS. 2 , 3, 4, 5 and 10. As shown inFIG. 11 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1100 may comprise first and secondthermal print heads second sides thermal transfer media 300 moving along amedia feed path 1105. - As shown in
FIG. 11 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1100 may additionally comprise a singlethermal transfer ribbon 100 comprising a single, functionalthermal transfer coating 120 for thermal transfer printing of respective one- or two-sides of print media such as a first and asecond side thermal transfer media 300.Such ribbon 100 may be supported onsupply 1130 and take-up/rewind 1140 reels or supports within theprinter 1100, which reels or supports may additionally maintain a desired or required tension on theribbon 100 duringprinter 1100 operation. - Additionally, a two-sided
thermal transfer printer 1100 may include first andsecond platens opposite sides media 300 andfeed path 1105 thereof proximate to first andsecond print heads print heads print media 300, andthermal transfer ribbon 100. - Depending on the printer design and/or application, print media such as the one- or two-sided
thermal transfer media 300 ofFIG. 3 may be supplied in the form of aroll 360, fan-fold stock, individual (cut) sheets, and the like, upon which information in text and/or graphic form may be simultaneously or near simultaneously printed on one or bothsides back side 202 of themedia 200 ofFIG. 2 , using a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1100, however print quality and/or longevity, and the like, may be affected. - A two-sided
thermal transfer printer 1100 may further include one ormore rollers 1120 for, inter alia, guidingthermal transfer media 300 and/orthermal transfer ribbon 100 along therespective media 1105 andribbon 1107 feed paths through theprinter 1100. Further, some or all of such rollers may additionally or alternatively provide means for transporting theribbon 100 and/ormedia 300 through theprinter 100, and/or maintain a desired tension of theribbon 100 and/ormedia 300, alone or in combination with one or more ofplatens drive systems 1190, and the like. - As shown in
FIG. 11 ,such rollers 1120 may also provide means for orienting a functionalcoated surface 102 of athermal transfer ribbon 100 toward aprinting surface transfer print media 300 for printing on bothsides such media 300 using a singlethermal transfer ribbon 100. - As shown in
FIG. 11 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1100 may also include adrive system 1190 for transporting media, such as two-sidedthermal transfer media 300, and/orthermal transfer ribbon 100 through theprinter 1100 during a print process. Depending on the design and/or application, adrive system 1190 may comprise one or more motors (e.g. stepper, servo, and the like) (not shown) for powering a system of gears, links, cams, belts, wheels, pulleys, rollers, combinations thereof, and the like. In one embodiment, adrive system 890 comprising a stepper motor (not shown) and one or more gears (not shown) adapted to rotate one or both of a first and asecond platen media 300 andribbon 100 through the two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1100. In alternate embodiments, adrive system 1190 comprising a stepper motor (not shown) operatively connected to one or more dedicated drive (e.g., non-platen) rollers (not shown), and/or one or both of theribbon 100supply 1130 and/or take-up 1140 rollers or supports may be provided. - A
drive system 1190 may also provide means for lifting (e.g., moving substantially normal from arespective ribbon 100 and/ormedia 300surface ribbon 100 ormedia 300 transverse to amedia feed path 1105 orribbon feed path 1107 direction) one or bothprint heads ribbon 100 and/ormedia 300.Such system 1190 may be required or desired in order to, for example, lift aprint head thermal transfer ribbon 100 and/ormedia 300 prior to advancing and/or rewinding athermal transfer ribbon 100 and/ormedia 300 where such advance and/or rewind would otherwise result in theribbon 100 and/ormedia 300 moving relative to each other (e.g., counter to one another and/or at different respective speeds in the same direction, and the like). In one embodiment, adrive system 1190 is adapted to lift asecond print head 1115 off of athermal transfer ribbon 100 prior to advancing theribbon 100 andmedia 300 for further printing where aribbon feed path 1107 direction is counter to amedia feed path 1105 direction, as shown with regard to the secondthermal print head 1115 ofFIG. 11 . - Suitable means for lifting and/or laterally traversing one or both
print heads thermal transfer printer 1100 ofFIG. 11 may include one or more motors, solenoids, screw-drives, linear-actuators, ratchets, springs, hydraulic and/or pneumatic cylinders, and the like. - It should be noted that lifting and/or laterally traversing of one or both
print heads thermal transfer printer 1100 ofFIG. 11 may also be employed to take arespective print head respective print head - In some embodiments, a two-sided
thermal transfer printer 1100 may also include first and second support arms (not shown) for supporting some or all of the first andsecond print heads second platens thermal transfer ribbon 100supply 1130 and/or take-up rollers or supports 1140, which support arms may further be in fixed or pivotable relation to one another as illustrated in, and discussed in regard to,FIGS. 7 , 8 and 9. - Likewise, a two-sided
thermal transfer printer 1100 may further include acontroller 1160 for controlling operation of theprinter 1100. As described with regard to the two-sided directthermal printer 700 ofFIG. 7 , the controller may comprising, inter alai, acommunication controller 1162, one or more buffers ormemory elements 1164, aprocessor 1166, and/or aprinting function switch 1168, each of which may perform one or more functions and/or operations consistent with the counterpart components described with regard toFIG. 7 hereinabove. - In addition, in one embodiment, a
controller 1160 of a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1100 may be used to virtually segment afunctional coat 120 of athermal transfer ribbon 100 into uniform bands for printing on opposite sides of media such as a first and asecond side thermal transfer media 300. For example, as shown inFIG. 12 , afunctional coating 120 on afirst side 102 of athermal transfer ribbon 100 may be virtually segmented by aprocessor 1166 associated with a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1100 into odd and even numbered segments, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, and the like, such that printing on afirst side 302 ofmedia 300 occurs through use of odd numbered bands S1, S3, S5 of thefunctional coating 120, and printing of asecond side 304 ofmedia 300 occurs through use of even numbered bands S2, S4, S6 of thefunctional coating 120. Registration of thethermal transfer ribbon 100 with regard to the first and the secondthermal print heads lateral spacing 1113 of theprint heads ribbon 100 along theribbon feed path 1107 between theprint heads ribbon 100 with respect to themedia 300 through use of adrive system 1190, among other means. Likewise, as further illustrated inFIG. 12 , one or more sense marks 1210, 1212, 1214, 1216, may be provided on theribbon 100 and/or media 300 (not shown) for control of relative orabsolute ribbon 100 and/ormedia 300 location in concert with one ormore sensors thermal transfer printer 1100. It should be noted the one or more sense marks 1210, 1212, 1214, 1216 may be provided on a first side 102 (as shown) and/or a second side 104 (not shown) of athermal transfer ribbon 100, and/or utilized media 300 (not shown). -
FIG. 13 illustrates a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1300 for thermal transfer printing of one- or two-sides of media such as any of themedia FIGS. 2 , 3, 4, 5 and 10. As shown inFIG. 13 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1300 may comprise first and secondthermal print heads second sides thermal transfer media 300 moving along amedia feed path 1305. - As shown in
FIG. 13 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1300 may additionally comprise a singlethermal transfer ribbon 100 comprising a functionalthermal transfer coating 120 on afirst side 102 thereof for thermal transfer printing of respective one- or two-sides of print media such as a first and asecond media side thermal transfer media 300.Such ribbon 100 may be supported onsupply 1330 and take-up/rewind 1340 reels or supports within theprinter 1300, which reels or supports may additionally maintain a desired or required tension on theribbon 100 duringprinter 1300 operation. - Additionally, a two-sided
thermal transfer printer 1300 may include first andsecond platens opposite sides media 300 andfeed path 1305 thereof proximate to first andsecond print heads print heads print media 300, andthermal transfer ribbon 100 duringprinter 1300 operation. As shown inFIG. 13 , thefirst platen 1350 comprises a roller-type (e.g., cylindrical) platen while thesecond platen 1355 comprises a plate-type platen. As shown inFIG. 13 , the plate-type platen 1355 may further include tapered leading and/or trailing edges to mitigate against damage to themedia 300 andthermal transfer ribbon 100 as they traverse the platen. - Depending on the printer design and/or application, print media such as the two-sided
thermal transfer media 300 ofFIG. 3 may be supplied in the form of aroll 360, fan-fold stock, individual (cut) sheets, and the like, upon which information in text and/or graphic form may be printed on one or bothsides - A two-sided
thermal transfer printer 1300 may further include one or more rollers orother guides 1320 for, inter alia, guidingthermal transfer media 300 and/orthermal transfer ribbon 100 along respective media andribbon feed paths printer 1300. Additionally or alternatively, some or all ofsuch rollers 1320 may provide means for transporting theribbon 100 and/ormedia 300 through theprinter 1300, and/or maintaining a desired tension of theribbon 100 and/ormedia 300, alone or in combination with one ormore supply 1330 and take-up/rewind 1340 reels or supports,platens drive systems 1390, and the like. - A
drive system 1390 associated with a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1300 may provide for transportation of print media, such as the two-sidedthermal transfer media 300 ofFIG. 3 , and/or thermal transfer ribbon, such as thethermal transfer ribbon 100 ofFIG. 1 , through theprinter 1300 during printer operation. Depending on the design and/or application, adrive system 1390 may comprise one or more motors (e.g. stepper, servo, and the like) (not shown) for powering a system of gears, links, cams, belts, wheels, pulleys, rollers, combinations thereof, and the like, in operative contact with themedia 300 and/orthermal transfer ribbon 100. In one embodiment, adrive system 1390 comprising a stepper motor (not shown) and one or more gears (not shown) adapted to rotate afirst platen 1350 and one ormore rollers 1320 each provided in the form of a circular cylinder is provided to transportmedia 300 andribbon 100 through the two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1300. In alternate embodiments, adrive system 1390 comprising a stepper motor (not shown) operatively connected to one or more dedicated drive (e.g., non-platen) rollers, such as any of theguide rollers 1320, and/or one or both of theribbon 100supply 1330 and/or take-up 1340 rollers or supports may be provided. - In alternate embodiments, a two-sided
thermal transfer printer 1300 may also include first and second support arms (not shown) for supporting some or all of the first andsecond print heads second platens thermal transfer ribbon 100supply 1330 and/or take-up rollers or supports 1340, any or all of therollers 1320 used for, inter alia, guiding, feeding, and/tensioning themedia 300 and/orthermal transfer ribbon 100, one ormore turn bars 1325, and the like. Additionally, as illustrated in, and discussed in regard to,FIGS. 7 , 8 and 9, where provided, the support arms may further be in fixed or pivotable relation to one another. - As additionally shown in
FIG. 13 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1300 may further include acontroller 1360 for controlling operation of theprinter 1300. As described with regard to the two-sided directthermal printer 700 ofFIG. 7 , and the two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1100 ofFIG. 11 , thecontroller 1360 may comprising, inter alai, acommunication controller 1362, one or more buffers ormemory elements 1364, aprocessor 1366, and/or aprinting function switch 1368, each of which may perform one or more functions and/or operations consistent with the counterpart components described with regard toFIGS. 7 and 11 hereinabove, including providing for printing with alternating portions of a virtually or otherwise segmentedthermal transfer ribbon 100 by a first and a secondthermal print head thermal transfer printer 1300, which segmented printing may further employ one ormore sensors printer 1300 for maintaining registration of theribbon 100 with themedia 300. - As shown in
FIG. 13 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1300 may further comprise one ormore turn bars 1325 for turning athermal transfer ribbon 100 such that afirst side 102 thereof comprising a thermal transfer (functional)coating 120 appropriately faces first andsecond sides print media 300 thereby allowing for thermal transfer printing by a respective first and a secondthermal print head thermal transfer ribbon 100 for printing on bothsides print media 300, while providing for co-directional motion of themedia 300 andribbon 100, thereby reducing or eliminating slip and related issues such as, but not limited to, smudging and smearing of thefunctional coating 120 of theribbon 100 on themedia 300. -
FIG. 14 illustrates a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1400 for thermal transfer printing of one- or two-sides of media such as any of themedia FIGS. 2 , 3, 4, 5 and 10. As shown inFIG. 14 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1400 may comprise first and secondthermal print heads second sides thermal transfer media 300 moving along amedia feed path 1405. - As shown in
FIG. 14 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1400 may additionally comprise a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500. As shown inFIG. 15 , a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 may comprise asubstrate 1510 with a first functional orthermal transfer coating 1520 on afirst side 1512 thereof, and a second functional orthermal transfer coating 1530 on asecond side 1514 thereof. - A two-sided
thermal transfer ribbon 1500 may be used for, inter alia, one- or two-sided thermal transfer printing of print media, such as a first and/or asecond side thermal transfer media 100, or a first and/or asecond side thermal transfer media 300. - In a thermal transfer printer such as the two-sided
thermal transfer printer 1400 ofFIG. 14 , a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 may be supported onsupply 1430 and take-up/rewind 1440 reels or supports within theprinter 1400, which reels or supports may additionally maintain a desired or required tension on theribbon 1500 duringprinter 1400 operation. Additionally or alternatively, a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 may be provided in cartridge form including, inter alia, one ormore supply 1430 and/or take-up/rewind 1440 reels or supports, and/or guides 1420. - A
substrate 1510 of a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 may comprise a fibrous or film type sheet for supporting a first and a secondfunctional coating substrate 1510 may comprise one or more natural (e.g., cellulose, cotton, starch, and the like) or synthetic (e.g., polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, and the like) materials. - In order to control characteristics of, including print quality resulting from, a two-sided
thermal transfer ribbon 1500, a predetermined thickness of asubstrate 1510 of a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500, different from that of a single sidedthermal transfer ribbon 100, which is typically 18 gauge or 4.5 micrometer thick, may be necessary. In one embodiment, asubstrate 1510 of a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 is provided in the form of a 20 gauge (re. 5 micrometer thick) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. In another embodiment, asubstrate 1510 of a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 is provided in the form of a 16 gauge (re. 4 micrometer thick) PET film. - In one embodiment, thickness of a
substrate 1510 and/or a first and a secondthermal transfer coating substrate 1510 and/or a first functional orthermal transfer coating 1520 supported on afirst side 1512 thereof is sufficiently high to permit heat applied to the firstthermal transfer coating 1520 through, for example, afirst surface 1502 of the two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500, to melt a second functional orthermal transfer coating 1530 supported on asecond side 1514 of thesubstrate 1510, opposite thefirst side 1512. In other embodiments, it may further be desired or required that the firstthermal transfer coating 1520 not melt or otherwise delaminate from thesubstrate 1510 when sufficient heat is applied thereto to melt the secondthermal transfer coating 1530. - It should be noted that, where provided, thickness and/or physical and/or chemical properties of one or more additional coatings, such as one or
more sub coats substrate 1510, a first functional orthermal transfer coating 1520, and first andsecond sub coats thermal transfer ribbon 1500 is sufficiently high to permit heat applied to, for example, afirst surface 1502 of the two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500, to melt a second functional orthermal transfer coating 1530 supported on asecond side 1514 of thesubstrate 1510, opposite thefirst side 1512. Likewise, in other embodiments, it may be desired that such applied heat does not, for example, also melt or delaminate the firstthermal transfer coating 1520, thefirst sub coat 1540, thesubstrate 1510, and/or thesecond sub coat 1550. - In another embodiment, thickness of a
substrate 1510 and/or athermal transfer coating substrate 1510 and/or a first functional orthermal transfer coating 1520 supported on afirst side 1512 thereof is sufficiently high to prohibit heat applied to the firstthermal transfer coating 1520 through, for example, afirst surface 1502 of the two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500, sufficient to melt the firstthermal coating 1520, to melt or otherwise delaminate a second functional orthermal transfer coating 1530 supported on asecond side 1514 of thesubstrate 1510, opposite thefirst side 1512. Variations, including embodiments including one ormore sub coats - In some embodiments, first and second
functional coatings thermal transfer ribbon 1500 may be adapted to melt or otherwise transfer at different temperatures such that, for example, a firstthermal transfer coating 1520 transfers or melts at temperature T1 greater than a transfer or melt temperature T2 of a secondthermal transfer coating 1530, and vice-versa. Such coatings may be selected in order to, for example, avoid premature melting and/or transfer of afirst coating 1520 upon heating of a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 for transfer of asecond coating 1530, and vice-versa. In one embodiment, a firstthermal transfer coating 1520 melts or otherwise transfers at atemperature 10 to 50 degrees Celsius higher than a secondthermal transfer coating 1530. In another embodiment, a firstthermal transfer coating 1520 melts or otherwise transfers at atemperature 10 to 20 degrees Celsius higher than a secondthermal transfer coating 1530. - A
functional coating thermal transfer ribbon 1500 may comprise a dye and/or pigment bearing substance which is transferred to receptive media (e.g., cardboard, paper, film, and the like) upon application of heat, by which printing is provided. Afunctional coating functional coatings thermal transfer ribbon 1500 comprise 65-85% carnauba and/or paraffin wax, 5-20% carbon black pigment, and 5-15% ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin. In a further embodiment, one or bothfunctional coatings thermal transfer ribbon 1500 comprise 40% carnauba, 40% paraffin wax, 15% carbon black pigment, and 5% ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin. - Depending on the application, composition of the first and second functional coatings may be different. For example, as discussed above, composition of a first and a second
functional coating functional coating 1520 transfers (e.g., melts) at a different temperature than a secondfunctional coating 1530 through, for example, selection of coating constituent materials, relative percentages thereof, additives, and the like. In one embodiment, a firstthermal transfer coating 1520 may comprise a predominantly wax based formulation while a secondthermal transfer coating 1530 may comprise a predominantly resin based formulation. In some embodiments, a firstthermal transfer coating 1520 may predominantly comprise a carnauba wax and a secondthermal transfer coating 1530 may predominantly comprise an acrylic resin. In other embodiments, a firstthermal transfer coating 1520 may predominantly comprise a paraffin wax and a secondthermal transfer coating 1530 may predominantly comprise a polyester resin. - As shown in
FIG. 15 , a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 may further comprise asub coat respective surfaces substrate 1510 and either or both of a first and a secondfunctional coating sub coat functional coatings substrate 1510, and/or may protect thesubstrate 1510 from damage due to application of heat for printing (e.g., warping, curling, melting, burn-thru, and the like). Asub coat sub coat sub coat first sub coat 1540 is different from the composition of asecond sub coat 1550. - In other embodiments, one or more thermal barriers, heat reflectors and/or absorbers may be desired or required as part of a two-sided
thermal transfer ribbon 1500. - Likewise, as described with respect to a one-sided
thermal transfer ribbon 100 ofFIG. 12 hereinabove, a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 may include one or more sense marks 1210, 1212, 1214, 1216 on a first and/or asecond side thermal transfer ribbon 1500 with respect to a first and/or a secondthermal print head thermal transfer printer second coating such ribbon 1500 which have been used for printing and/or are remaining to be used for printing for, for example, maximization of use of thethermal transfer coatings such ribbon 1500. - Where provided, the one or more sense marks may comprise one or more inks, dyes, luminescent markers (including fluorescent and/or phosphorescent inks and dyes), perforations, holes, cut-outs, notches, regions lacking one or more
functional coatings thermal transfer coating substrate 1510, of a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 by one ormore sensors thermal transfer printer - As further shown in
FIG. 14 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1400 may include first andsecond platens opposite sides media 300 andfeed path 1405 thereof proximate to first andsecond print heads print heads print media 300, andthermal transfer ribbon 1500 duringprinter 1400 operation. As shown inFIG. 14 , thefirst platen 1450 comprises a roller-type (e.g., cylindrical) platen while thesecond platen 1455 comprises a plate-type platen, although either or both platens may comprise rollers or plates. Where provided, a plate-type platen 1455 may further include tapered leading and/or trailing edges in order to mitigate against damage to themedia 300 andthermal transfer ribbon 1500 as they traverses theplaten 1455. - Depending on the printer design and/or application, print media such as the two-sided
thermal transfer media 300 ofFIG. 3 may be supplied in the form of aroll 360, fan-fold stock, individual (cut) sheets, and the like, upon which information in text and/or graphic form may be printed on one or bothsides - A two-sided
thermal transfer printer 1400 may further include one or more rollers orother guides 1420 for, inter alia, guidingthermal transfer media 300 and/orthermal transfer ribbon 1500 along respective media andribbon feed paths printer 1400. Additionally or alternatively, some or all ofsuch rollers 1420 may provide means for transporting theribbon 1500 and/ormedia 300 through theprinter 1400, and/or maintaining a desired tension of theribbon 1500 and/ormedia 300, alone or in combination with one ormore supply 1430 and take-up/rewind 1440 reels or supports,platens drive systems 1490, and the like. - A
drive system 1490 associated with a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1400 may provide for transportation of print media, such as the two-sidedthermal transfer media 300 ofFIG. 3 , and/or thermal transfer ribbon, such as the two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 ofFIG. 15 , through theprinter 1400 during printer operation. Depending on the design and/or application, adrive system 1490 may comprise one or more motors (e.g. stepper, servo, and the like) (not shown) for powering a system of gears, links, cams, belts, wheels, pulleys, rollers, combinations thereof, and the like, in operative contact with themedia 300 and/orthermal transfer ribbon 1500. In one embodiment, adrive system 1490 comprising a stepper motor (not shown) and one or more gears (not shown) adapted to rotate afirst platen 1450 and one ormore rollers 1420 each provided in the form of a circular cylinder is provided to transportmedia 300 andribbon 1500 through the two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1400. In alternate embodiments, adrive system 1490 comprising a stepper motor (not shown) operatively connected to one or more dedicated drive (e.g., non-platen) rollers, such as any of theguide rollers 1420, and/or one or both of theribbon 100supply 1430 and/or take-up 1440 rollers or supports may be provided. - As shown in
FIG. 14 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1400 comprising a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 may include one or more sacrificial surfaces orsubstrates 1480 for preventing afunctional coating 1530 on asecond side 1504 of a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 from building up on or otherwise contaminating a firstthermal print head 1410 while heat is applied by such head to theribbon 1500 for printing on afirst side 302 ofmedia 300. In one embodiment, asubstrate 1480 is provided between asecond surface 1504 of a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 and a firstthermal print head 1410 such that any of the secondfunctional coating 1530 melted and/or released through application of heat by the first thermal print head is captured on thesubstrate 1480 and/or remains on (e.g., is pressed against and allowed to re-solidify and/or cool for maintaining adherence to) thesecond side 1504 of the two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500. In such embodiment, thesubstrate 1480 may comprise a continuous sheet and/or film of media provided on asupply roll 1485 for co-feeding and take-up 1440 with a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 as such ribbon traverses the firstthermal print head 1410. In some embodiments, a separate take-up reel or means (not shown) specific to the substrate may also be provided. - In an alternate embodiment, a sacrificial surface or
substrate 1480 may comprise a continuous loop of sheet and/or film media or other material adapted to capture any of the secondfunctional coating 1530 that is released by virtue of application of heat by the firstthermal print head 1410. In such embodiment, cleaning means such as a brush, scrapper, and the like (not shown) may be provided to continuously clean the sacrificial surface orsubstrate 1480 for continuous use. - In a further embodiment, a sacrificial surface or
substrate 1480 may comprise a fixed surface adapted to prevent transfer of a secondfunctional coating 1530 from asecond side 1504 of a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 from building up on or otherwise contaminating a firstthermal print head 1410. In such embodiment, a sacrificial surface or substrate may comprise one or more low friction materials such as, but not limited to, silicone and/or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which provide a barrier between a firstthermal print head 1410 and asecond side 1504 of a two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 such that any functional coating released (e.g., melted) by virtue of application of heat from the firstthermal print head 1410 is maintained and/or pressed against thesecond side 1504 of the two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500 for a sufficient time after application of said heat such that the releasedfunctional coating 1530 cools and maintains attachment and/or reattaches to thesecond side 1504 of the two-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 1500. Combination and/or variation of the above embodiments for avoiding build-up on and/or contamination of a firstthermal print head 1410 with afunction coating 1530 from a two-sidedthermal transfer media 1500 are possible. - In alternate embodiments, a two-sided
thermal transfer printer 1400 may also include first and second support arms (not shown) for supporting some or all of the first andsecond print heads second platens thermal transfer ribbon 1500supply 1430 and/or take-up rollers or supports 1440, any or all of therollers 1420 used for, inter alia, guiding, feeding, and/or tensioning themedia 300 and/or thermal transfer ribbon 15, sacrificialmedia supply roll 1485, and the like. Additionally, as illustrated in, and discussed in regard to,FIGS. 7 , 8 and 9, where provided, the support arms may further be in fixed or pivotable relation to one another. - As additionally shown in
FIG. 14 , a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1400 may further include acontroller 1460 for controlling operation of theprinter 1400. As described with regard to the two-sided directthermal printer 700 ofFIG. 7 , and the two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1100 ofFIG. 11 , thecontroller 1460 may comprising, inter alai, acommunication controller 1462, one or more buffers ormemory elements 1464, aprocessor 1466, and/or aprinting function switch 1468, each of which may perform one or more functions and/or operations consistent with the counterpart components described with regard toFIGS. 7 and 11 hereinabove. - In operation, data received for printing by a two-sided direct thermal, two-sided thermal transfer, and/or combined two-sided direct thermal and
thermal transfer printer second print head printing function switch - Depending on the printer and/or application, it may be desired or required to identify data for printing by a particular print head and/or print means based on a type of data provided. For example, where lines of text and/or character (e.g., ASCII, Kanji, Hanzi, Hebrew, Arabic, and the like) data are provided for printing, such data may preferentially be selected for printing by direct thermal means. Likewise, where graphic (e.g., raster, bitmap, vector, and the like) data is provided, such as a bar code, such data may be preferentially be selected or otherwise apportioned for printing by thermal transfer means.
- In one embodiment, combined text and graphic data may be received by a
communication controller 962 associated with a combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer printer 900. As such data is received, it may be stored in one or more received data memory orbuffer elements 964. Upon receipt of a end-of-page, transmission, transaction, or other like command, the stored data may then be apportioned for printing by one or both of the direct thermal 915 and/orthermal transfer 910 print heads based on a type of data provided by one or both of aprocessor 966 and/orprinting function switch 968 associated with theprinter 900. Stored text data may then be identified and selected for printing by the directthermal print head 915 while stored graphic data may be identified and selected for printing by the thermaltransfer print head 910, wherein being identified and selected for printing may comprise identifying an appropriate portion of the received print data as text data and storing such data in an respective text data memory region or buffer 964 for printing via a directthermal print head 915, and identifying an appropriate portion of the received print data as graphic data and storing such data in a respective graphic data memory region or buffer 964 for printing via a thermaltransfer print head 910. Alternately some or all of the received print data may be identified as graphic and/or text data in advance of its receipt by a combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer printer 900, which data may then be stored in respective text and graphicdata memory regions 964 for printing via respective direct thermal and thermal transfer print heads 915, 910 upon receipt. - Likewise, it may be desired or required to print a portion of received print data via one or more available means, such as one of a direct thermal and thermal transfer means, while it may be possible or permitted to print the balance of the such data via any available method, such as either or both of direct thermal and thermal transfer means. For example, in an embodiment, it may be desired or required to print received graphic data via thermal transfer means, while it may be permitted to print received text data via direct thermal and/or thermal transfer means. As such, in one embodiment, received graphic data may be designated for printing by, for example, a thermal
transfer print head 910 associated with a combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer printer 900, while received text data may be selected for printing by either or both of a directthermal print head 915 and/or the thermaltransfer print head 910 of the combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer printer 900. - In some embodiments, a quantity of text data identified for printing via thermal transfer means along with any received graphic data is selected such that the combined thermal transfer printed text and graphic data occupies a similar length of media as the remaining quantity of text data, thereby providing for a nearly uniform split of received data for printing on a first media side (e.g., approximately one half) via thermal transfer means as for printing on a second media side (e.g., approximately one half) via direct thermal means. For example, as illustrated with regard to the
receipt 600 ofFIG. 6 , a first portion oftransaction information 620 in the form of text data may be identified for and printed on afirst side 602 of, for example, combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer media 1000 comprising thereceipt 600 via direct thermal means, while a second portion of thetransaction information 620 in the form of text data along with thediscount offer 650 andbar code 660 is identified for and printed on asecond side 604 of the combined two-sided direct thermal andthermal transfer media 1000 comprising thereceipt 600, wherein the length ofmedia 1000 occupied by the text information printed on thefirst side 602 of thereceipt 600 is roughly equivalent to the length ofmedia 1000 occupied by the text and graphic information printed on thesecond side 604 of thereceipt 600. - Variations on and/or combinations of the above described methods for apportioning text and/or graphic data for printing by one or both of direct thermal and/or thermal transfer means, such as, for example, where some or all of received graphic and/or text data is identified for printing in advance of receipt by a combined direct thermal and
thermal transfer printer 900 and the balance is identified as text and/or graphics by aprocessor 966 orprinting function switch 968 associated with theprinter 900, or particular graphic information (e.g., a header and/orstore identifier 610 or corporate logo) is permitted to be printed along withtext information 620 via direct thermal means while other graphic information (e.g., a bar code 660) is permitted to be printed via only thermal transfer means, are also possible. - In additional embodiments, a two-sided
thermal transfer ribbon 1500 may be used for thermal transfer printing using one of two availablefunctional coatings functional coatings thermal transfer ribbon supply other guides turn bar assembly 1325 as required or desired for aparticular printer - In some embodiments, a thermal transfer printer such as any of the
printers FIGS. 8 , 9, 11, 13, and 14 may include hardware, software and/or firmware executed on or via, for example, one or more of aprocessor printing function switch thermal transfer ribbon thermal transfer ribbon functional coatings more sensors thermal transfer ribbon ribbon thermal transfer ribbon ribbon ribbon - In some embodiments, lifting and/or traversing print heads off of and/or away from and edge of print media may be provided to decouple printing by a
thermal transfer printer thermal transfer ribbon thermal transfer printer 1100 illustrated inFIG. 11 , and/or where unwind and/or rewind of such ribbon is provided for as described hereinabove. - Further, in various embodiments, bowed rollers, web guides, improved tension control, nip rollers, and/or related, individual drive motors may be incorporated in a
thermal transfer printer ribbon - In still other embodiments, a two-sided thermal transfer and/or combined direct thermal and
thermal transfer printer -
FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of two-sided thermal media comprising a label andliner combination 1600 for printing by a two-sided thermal transfer and/or combined direct thermal andthermal transfer printer FIG. 16 , the liner andlabel combination 1600 may comprise afirst substrate 1610 having afirst side 1612 and asecond side 1614, and asecond substrate 1615 having afirst side 1616 and asecond side 1618. Either or both of thesubstrates second substrates liner combination 1600 are provided in the form of a non-woven cellulosic (e.g., paper) sheet. - As further shown in
FIG. 16 , thefirst substrate 1610 may include a thermallysensitive coating 1620 on at least afirst side 1612 thereof. Where provided, a thermallysensitive coating 1620 may comprise a full, spot or pattern coating, and may provide for single or multi-color direct thermal printing therein. Further, a thermallysensitive coating 1620 may comprise at least one dye and/or pigment, and one or more activating agents, which undergo a color change upon the application of heat as described hereinabove. - As also shown in
FIG. 16 , thesecond substrate 1615 may include a thermal transferreceptive coating 1630 on asecond side 1618 thereof. A thermal transferreceptive coating 1630 may comprise one or more materials for preparing arespective surface 1604 of the liner andlabel combination 1600 to accept transfer of afunctional coating thermal transfer ribbon - In other embodiments, a label and
liner combination 1600 may include a thermallysensitive coating receptive coating first side 1612 of afirst substrate 1610 and asecond side 1618 of asecond substrate 1615 for, inter alia, two-sided direct thermal or two-sided thermal transfer printing ofrespective sides liner combination 1600. - In some embodiments, each of the first and/or
second substrates liner combination 1600 may further include one ormore base second sides more base receptive coatings base liner combination 1600 are as disclosed hereinabove. - As shown in
FIG. 16 , a liner andlabel combination 1600 may further comprise one or moreadhesive layers 1660 for releasably attaching, inter alia, asecond side 1614 of afirst substrate 1610 to afirst side 1616 of asecond substrate 1615. Suitable adhesives include high tack adhesives for maintenance of residual tackiness or stickiness upon separation of the first andsecond substrates second substrates second substrates - Additionally, and as shown in
FIG. 16 , the liner andlabel combination 1600 may further comprise one or more release layers orliners 1670 proximate to afirst side 1616 of asecond substrate 1615. Where provided, the one or more release layers orliners 1670 may assist in releasably attaching thefirst substrate 1610 to thesecond substrate 1615. Inclusion of a release layer orliner 1670 may vary with a type of adhesive 1660 used. For example, inclusion of a release layer orliner 1670 may be desired or required with use of a high tack adhesive 1660, but optional where a low and/or no tack adhesive 1660 is used. - In one embodiment, a high tack hot melt adhesive 1660 is applied to a
second side 1614 of afirst substrate 1610 having a thermallysensitive coating 1620 on afirst side 1612 thereof, and asilicone release agent 1670 is applied to afirst side 1616 of asecond substrate 1615 having a thermal transferreceptive coating 1630 on asecond side 1618 thereof such that, when removed from thesecond substrate 1615, thefirst substrate 1610 acts as a adhesive direct thermal label and thesecond substrate 1615 acts as a thermal transfer liner. In alternate embodiments, asilicone release agent 1660 is applied to asecond side 1614 of afirst substrate 1610 having a thermallysensitive coating 1620 on afirst side 1612 thereof, and a medium tack pressure sensitive adhesive 1670 is applied to afirst side 1616 of asecond substrate 1615 having a thermal transferreceptive coating 1630 on asecond side 1618 thereof such that, when removed from thesecond substrate 1615, thefirst substrate 1610 acts as a direct thermal liner and thesecond substrate 1615 acts as an adhesive thermal transfer label. Variations are possible. - As previously described, thermal printing may comprise direct thermal and/or thermal transfer printing of one or both sides of provided media. In the case of media comprising a single substrate, such as any of the
media FIGS. 2 , 3, 4 and 5, thermal printing may occur via direct thermal and/or thermal transfer printing of one or bothsides media liner combination 1600 ofFIG. 16 , thermal printing may occur via direct and/or thermal transfer printing on or proximate to a respectivefirst side second substrates liner combination 1600. In other embodiments, direct thermal and/or thermal transfer printing may occur on or proximate to one or bothsides second substrates liner combination 1600 ofFIG. 16 . - It should be noted that direct thermal printing may occur only where a suitable direct thermally
sensitive coating first side 402 of the single-sided directthermal media 400 ofFIG. 4 , the first andsecond sides thermal media 500 ofFIG. 5 , and the first andsecond sides liner combination 1600 ofFIG. 16 . However, while, as previously noted, a specific thermal transfer receptive coating or treatment may not be expressly required for thermal transfer printing to occur, problems with thermal transfer printing may arise where no thermal transfer receptive coating or treatment is provided on a given surface. Such problems may include, but are not limited to: - i. poor print quality via wax and/or wax and resin based thermal transfer ribbons;
- ii. an inability to print via resin based thermal transfer ribbons at all;
- iii. ready smear and/or scratch off of thermal transfer print produced via wax and/or wax and resin based thermal transfer ribbons;
- iv. an inability to maintain an acceptable print quality at an acceptable printing speed (i.e. 6-10 inches per second);
- v. an inability to produce barcodes of an acceptable grade (e.g., higher than ANSI “C”); and
- vi. an inability to print at low print head energies (e.g., pulse duration), especially via wax thermal transfer ribbons.
- Likewise, for a label and liner combination, such as the label and
liner combination 1600 ofFIG. 16 , once the label portion of the combination is removed (e.g., 1610, 1620, 1640, 1660), the liner portion (e.g., 1615, 1630, 1650, 1670) may curl, making the liner difficult to handle and any image produced thereon via two sided direct and/or thermal transfer printing difficult to read. - As previously noted hereinabove, some or all of the above described problems with thermal transfer printing may be mitigated and/or eliminated through use of one or more thermal transfer receptive coatings, chemistries and/or treatments of some or all of a particular media surface on which it is desired or required to apply thermal transfer print. Suitable coatings, chemistries and/or treatments include, but are not limited to:
- i. Clay Type Coating
- In some embodiments, a clay type coating (e.g., kaolinite, montmorillonite, illite, and/or chlorite) may be applied to a surface in advance of thermal transfer print thereon to ameliorate some or all of the above described problems with thermal transfer printing such as, but not limited to, providing for excellent print quality, high print speeds, low print energies, good scratch and smear characteristics, and high ANSI bar code grades (e.g., greater than or equal to ANSI “C”) for wax, and wax and resin thermal transfer ribbon formulations.
- ii. Surface Energy Modifying Coating or Treatment
- In some embodiments, a surface energy modifying coating or treatment may be applied to a surface in advance of thermal transfer printing thereof to ameliorate some or all of the above described problems with thermal transfer printing such as, but not limited to, providing for excellent print quality, high print speeds, low print energies, good scratch and smear characteristics, and high ANSI bar code grades for thermal transfer printing thereon. A surface energy modifying coating or treatment may be required for thermal transfer printing via resin based thermal transfer ribbon formulations, and required or desired for thermal transfer printing via wax and/or wax and resin based ribbons.
- A surface energy modifying coating or treatment modifies the surface energy of the coated and/or treated media to be greater than the surface tension of the thermal transfer (functional)
coating thermal transfer ribbon - Suitable surface energy modifying coatings may comprise a high glass transition temperature (Tg) resin that does not soften under standard thermal printing conditions (e.g., 75 to 150 degrees Celsius), which resin may be clear (e.g., a varnish) or colored (e.g., an ink) depending on the end-use and/or the required or desired print effect. Such coating and related carrier materials may typically be spot, strip or flood coated on a surface. Likewise, such coating and related carrier may be “printed” in the form of text and/or a graphic image on a surface such that thermal transfer print will preferentially or only occur above the printed text and/or image.
- In addition to the use of coatings, additional surface processing and/or treatments means for modifying surface energy may be used such as calendaring or supercalendaring, corona discharge and/or plasma treatment. Such means modify surface energy by, inter alia, decreasing irregularities in, and/or modifying composition of, a print surface.
- In one embodiment, a surface energy modifying coating comprising, for example, a high glass transition temperature resin, is used to provide a surface energy in the range of 30 to 75 dynes per centimeter, ideally 45 to 50 dynes per centimeter, for enhancing thermal transfer printing thereon.
- iii. Low Glass Transition Temperature Coating
- In some embodiments, a low glass transition temperature (Tg) coating (e.g., a coating having a glass transition temperature in range of thermal print head operation, e.g., typically 50 to 150 degrees Celsius, ideally 70 to 90 degrees Celsius) may be applied to a surface in advance of thermal transfer print thereon to ameliorate some or all of the above described problems with thermal transfer printing such as, but not limited to, providing for excellent print quality, high print speeds, low print energies, good scratch and smear characteristics, and high ANSI bar code grades for thermal transfer printing thereon. A low glass transition temperature coating allows and/or enhances transfer of resin, wax, and/or wax and resin based thermal transfer ribbons.
- Suitable low glass transition temperature coatings may comprise a resin (e.g., urethane, acrylic, polyester, and the like) that softens (e.g., becomes tacky) and/or melts when heat is applied during thermal transfer printing. In some embodiments, a low glass transition temperature coating may be used to modify the surface energy of a surface such that thermal transfer printing is encouraged as described hereinabove. In other embodiments, a low glass transition temperature coating may, when softened and/or melted, may cohesively attract a thermal transfer (functional)
coating coating thermal transfer ribbon - iv. Direct Thermal Coating
- In some embodiments, a thermally sensitive (re. direct thermal) coating may be applied to a surface in advance of thermal transfer printing thereon to ameliorate some or all of the above described problems with thermal transfer printing such as, but not limited to, providing for excellent print quality, high print speeds, low print energies, good scratch and smear characteristics, and high ANSI bar code grades. In some embodiments, a thinner direct thermal coating (e.g., approximately 1-2 grams per square meter) may be suitable for use in enhancing thermal transfer print on a surface than commonly used for direct thermal printing alone (e.g., approximately 5 grams per square meter). As will be described further hereinbelow, use of a direct thermal coating on a media side designated for thermal transfer printing permits, inter alia, direct thermal imaging of the media in regions where heat is applied for thermal transfer printing, and vice-versa. As a result, such media may provide for direct thermal printing in regions of the media where thermal transfer printing occurs, thereby providing redundant (e.g., thermal transfer over direct thermal) printing and ameliorating issues associated with poor adhesion and/or physical removal (e.g., scratch, smear, abrasion, etc) of the thermal transfer print.
- Likewise, media comprising a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating may provide for direct thermal printing in regions of the media where a
functional coating thermal transfer ribbon - In some embodiments, a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating may be provided in a color selected to match or otherwise resemble a color of an associated thermal transfer (functional) coating, thereby providing for single-color thermal printing. In other embodiments, a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating may be provided in a color selected to be different from a color of an associated thermal transfer (functional) coating, thereby providing for multi-color thermal printing. Such multi-color printing may result from separate thermal transfer and/or direct thermal printing in their respective colors, and/or through one or more composite colors made possible through superimposing thermal transfer print in one or more colors or shades on top of direct thermal print in one or more colors or shades.
- It should be noted that in some embodiments, one or more of the above described thermal transfer receptive coatings or treatments (e.g., clay, surface energy modifying, and low glass transition temperature) may be provided in addition to (e.g., as a base and/or a top coat) a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating to further enhance thermal transfer printing.
- In some embodiments, media comprising one or more direct thermal thermally sensitive coatings on one or more sides thereof may be provided such that at least one of the one or more direct thermal thermally sensitive coatings image at a different temperature than that required for transference of a thermal transfer (functional) coating associated with a one- or two-sided
thermal transfer ribbon thermal print head capable printer thermal transfer ribbon thermal print head capable printer thermal transfer ribbon thermal printers FIGS. 8 , 9, 11, 13, 14, 17 and 18. - In other embodiments, media comprising one or more direct thermal thermally sensitive coatings may be selected such that one or more of the one or more direct thermal thermally sensitive coatings image at a temperature higher than that required for thermal transfer printing to occur. As such, heat applied at a first temperature by a
thermal print head capable printer thermal transfer ribbon thermal print head capable printer thermal transfer ribbon thermal printers FIGS. 8 , 9, 11, 13, 14, 17 and 18. - Control over a temperature at which a direct thermal thermally
sensitive coating capable media coating thermal transfer ribbon - In some embodiments, a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating is selected to image at a temperature 20 to 80 degrees Celsius lower than a temperature at which an associated thermal transfer (functional) coating will transfer. In others embodiments, a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating is selected to image at a temperature 30 to 50 degrees Celsius lower than a temperature at which an associated thermal transfer (functional) coating will transfer. Similarly, in some embodiments, a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating is selected to image at a temperature of 50 to 100 degrees Celsius and an associated thermal transfer (functional) coating is selected to transfer at a temperature of 100 to 150 degrees Celsius. In other embodiments, a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating is selected to image at a temperature of 60 to 80 degrees Celsius and an associated thermal transfer (functional) coating is selected to transfer at a temperature of 100 to 120 degrees Celsius.
- Alternately or additionally, in some embodiments, a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating is selected to image at a temperature 20 to 80 degrees Celsius higher than a temperature at which an associated thermal transfer (functional) coating will transfer. In other embodiments, a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating is selected to image at a temperature 30 to 50 degrees Celsius higher than a temperature at which an associated thermal transfer (functional) coating will transfer. Likewise, in some embodiments, a thermal transfer (functional) coating is selected to transfer at a temperature of 60 to 110 degrees Celsius and an associated direct thermal thermally sensitive coating is selected to image at a temperature of 100 to 150 degrees Celsius. In other embodiments, a thermal transfer (functional) coating is selected to transfer at a temperature of 70 to 90 degrees Celsius and an associated direct thermal thermally sensitive coating is selected to image at a temperature of 100 to 120 degrees Celsius.
- Thermal media including one or more direct thermal thermally sensitive coatings on one or more sides thereof may be used in a one- or two-sided thermal transfer capable printer, such as any of the
printers FIGS. 8 , 9, 11, 13, 14, 17 and 18, wherein one or more of the provided direct thermal thermally sensitive coatings are adapted to image at a temperature higher and/or lower than a temperature at which thermal transfer is selected to occur. In one embodiment, a method of operating a thermal transfer capable printer may comprise applying heat at a first temperature to a first location of a first media side including a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating thereon through an associated thermal transfer ribbon, and applying heat at a second temperature to a second location of the first media side including a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating thereon through the thermal transfer ribbon, wherein the first temperature is selected and/or sufficient to provide for imaging of the direct thermal thermally sensitive coating at the first location without transfer of a thermal transfer (functional) coating associated with the thermal transfer ribbon and the second temperature is selected and/or sufficient to provide for imaging of the direct thermal thermally sensitive coating and transfer of a thermal transfer (functional) coating of the thermal transfer ribbon at the second location. In another embodiment, a method of operating a thermal transfer capable printer may comprise applying heat at a first temperature to a first location of a first media side including a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating thereon through an associated thermal transfer ribbon, and applying heat at a second temperature to a second location of the first media side including a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating thereon through the thermal transfer ribbon, wherein the first temperature is selected and/or sufficient to provide for transfer of a thermal transfer (functional) coating associated with the thermal transfer ribbon to the first location without imaging of the direct thermal thermally sensitive coating thereat and the second temperature is selected and/or sufficient to provide for transfer of a thermal transfer (functional) coating associated with the thermal transfer ribbon and imaging of the direct thermal thermally sensitive coating at the second location. Variations, including methods wherein the thermal transfer capable printer may apply heat to selectively print a first and a second media side via direct and/or thermal transfer means, are also possible. - As described previously hereinabove, it may be desired or required to print or otherwise image particular data and/or information via direct thermal printing and other data and/or information via thermal transfer printing. Such selective printing may be desired or required for print quality, durability, scanability, color, and like reasons, and/or to conserve and/or minimize use of consumable materials such as an associated thermal transfer print ribbon.
- For example, in some embodiments, it may be desired or required to print text based data or information, such as some or all of the
header 610 and/ortransaction information 620 associated with thereceipt 600 ofFIG. 6 , via direct thermal printing while it may be desired or required to print graphic based data or information, such as some or all of thediscount offer 650 and/orbar code 660 of thereceipt 600 ofFIG. 6 , via thermal transfer printing, and vice-versa. As such, in some embodiments, a thermal transfercapable printer header information 610 and/or the portion of thetransaction information 620 shown on thesecond side 604 of thereceipt 600 ofFIG. 6B ) by means other than the means initially selected for the respective data portion, are also possible. - As described hereinabove, thermal printing of a particular media side may be selected to occur via direct and/or thermal transfer printing through control of an operating temperature of an associated thermal print head commensurate with the temperature at which direct thermal and/or thermal transfer printing is permitted to occur by virtue of an associated direct thermal thermally sensitive coating and/or thermal transfer (functional) coating. Where provided, such control may be effected by, for example, a
controller printing function switch capable printer - In general, an additional effect of any of the above described thermal transfer print enhancing coatings is that they may reduce curl of a liner from, for example, a label and
liner combination 1600, after an associated label is peeled off. Rigid, resin coatings may most effectively reduce liner curl. When applied to a liner, such coating may fill the voids, cracks, and crevices in the liner, creating a rigid resin film for reducing curl of the liner. Additionally, the above described thermal transfer print enhancing coatings may be applied by one or more appropriate methods including rod coating, gravure coating, slot coating, flexographic printing, spot coating, strip coating, flood coating, and the like, to some or all of a surface upon which thermal transfer printing is desired or required to occur. - In further embodiments, one or
more sensors thermal transfer printer controller thermal printer - In other embodiments, one or
more sensors thermal printer printing function switch thermal printer - Regardless of the technique, where a required or desired coating or surface finish for a particular print method (e.g., direct thermal or thermal transfer printing) is not found, printing via an associated thermal print head may be disabled. Additionally or alternately, existence of a required or desired coating or finish may be used as a condition precedent to enabling printing via one or more associated thermal print heads.
- Additionally, in some embodiments, a first and a second
thermal print head thermal printer - Further, in some embodiments, one- or two-sided
thermal media sides FIG. 17 , amedia feed path 1705 of a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1700 may be oriented such that two-sidedthermal transfer media 300 fed from aroll 360 thereof is routed to traverse a firstthermal print head 1710 located on a first side of athermal transfer ribbon 100 feed path 1707 using one or more rollers and/orplatens 1720 to a secondthermal print head 1715 located on the same (first) side of the ribbon feed path 1707 for near simultaneous thermal transfer printing of both a first and asecond side media 300 via afunctional coating 120 on afirst side 102 of a single-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 100 fed viarespective feed 1730 and take-up 1740 rollers or supports (e.g., spindles). - Alternately or additionally, as shown in
FIG. 18 , amedia feed path 1805 of a two-sidedthermal transfer printer 1800 may be oriented such that two-sidedthermal transfer media 300 fed from aroll 360 thereof is routed to traverse a firstthermal print head 1810 located on a first side of athermal transfer ribbon 100feed path 1807 using one or more rollers and/orplatens 1820 and turnbars 1825 to a secondthermal print head 1815 located on the same (first) side of theribbon feed path 1807 for near simultaneous thermal transfer printing of both a first and asecond side media 300 via afunctional coating 120 on afirst side 102 of a single-sidedthermal transfer ribbon 100 fed viarespective feed 1830 and take-up 1840 rollers or supports (e.g., spindles). - A controller (not shown) comprising one or more of a communication controller, one or more memory or buffer elements, a processor, and a printing function switch, as well as various sensors (not shown), as described hereinabove, may be provided with either or both of the two-sided
thermal transfer printers FIGS. 17 and 18 . Likewise, in alternate embodiments, similar components and/or arrangements (e.g., media turning means comprising one or more rollers, platens, and/or turn bars for printing of two media sides by thermal print heads on a same printer side) may be used in a two-sided direct thermal printer and/or a combined two-sided direct thermal and thermal transfer printer, with or without associated controllers and sensors. - Further, in some embodiments, a first and a second
thermal print head thermal printer thermal print head thermal print head - The above description is illustrative, and not restrictive. In particular, designation of a first and a second print head, platen, gear, and the like, as well as a first and second media and/or thermal transfer ribbon sides, and the like, may vary among embodiments.
- Further, many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the embodiments should therefore be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
- In the foregoing description of the embodiments, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. Likewise, various features are described only with respect to a single embodiment in order to avoid undue repetition. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting that the claimed embodiments should have more or less features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in more or less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the claims are hereby incorporated into the description of the embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate exemplary embodiment.
Claims (69)
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Also Published As
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US8211826B2 (en) | 2012-07-03 |
WO2009011757A2 (en) | 2009-01-22 |
WO2009011757A3 (en) | 2009-04-16 |
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